Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (01/22/87)
Really-From: allynh%miro@berkeley.edu (Allyn Hardyck)
Recent record buys:
_You Bet We've Got Something Against You_ Cathexis Recordings [UK] PS 014 (1986)
Got this at Vinyl Fetish in LA (how can you people down there stand what
Melrose has become?). Two cuts from Princess Tinymeat, cool live Sonic Youth
cut, weird Adrian Sherwood choppings (Mark Stewart and the Maffia's
"Passcivecation Program"), the previously mentioned Band of Holy Joy's
"Drug Virgin," and a superficially benign "Holy Holy Holy (For Dusa)" from
Current 93.
Revolting Cocks _Big Sexy Land_ Wax Trax! WAX 017 (1986)
Ministry guy + Front 242 guy + occasional Shriekback guitarist guy.
Victimization the main topic. Relentless.
"I can tell you the official number of the dead is now put at
THIRTY-EIGHT THIRTY-EIGHT THIRTY-EIGHT."
Got this at Rene's Big Ears along with LA freebie (not the Weekly)
which contained _The Angriest Dog in the World_.
Few nights back, heard apocalyptic song on KALX, turned out to be "Fuckhead".
Bought _The Unacceptable Face of Freedom_. Very affecting, their sense
of appropriate sounds and rhythms made me stare dumbly at the wall.
Last Friday, went to the Warehouse (the unofficial name), the space in West
Berkeley funded mostly by Tim Yohannon of _Maximum Rock & Roll_.
Yohannon there, along with a large dog and a small girl (probably not his).
No violence (violation: 2 wk. suspension), no alcohol (4 wk. suspension).
Concession sells _MRNR_, _Sound Choice_, records from local bands,
and Hansen's Soda. Free popcorn. The ticket people are volunteer,
$2 membership mandatory + $4 for this show. Everyone very concerned and
united. The inside covered already with graffiti and murals (Iggy Pop
with arms folded over chest: "Hey Kids! Iggy Pop is Mr. Clean!")
Non-profit, open to all ages. At every turn avoids doing things the
way a club would, invites members of audience to come up on stage after
each act to comment, criticise, etc. No bouncers. Only hung around to see
teen thrashers Nasal Sex (good clean fun), and lead guy from MDC strumming
a few on acoustic ("Is your family just a little weird..."). Some vague
avant-garders thumping on bass drums and screaming. But even if the
groups were just OK, the place itself made up for it in just being way
more human than most clubs (the Farm possible exception). No advertising,
they just want people to show up for whoever Friday and Saturday nights...
From membership card: "I understand that the club has been established
by and for the membership and that membership extends beyond the entertainment
aspects, but also includes my right and responsibility to be involved in its
operation, maintenance, and policy direction as I may see fit."
Big Black / Jane's Addiction @ I-Beam, SF, Jan. 19
OH MY GOD... Too early to say best of 1987? Hell with it. Best show I've
seen in months! If my Achilles tendon wasn't acting up I would've slammed
more than I did, gotten some gnarly head injuries like most of the
people I came with. As it was, got a head in the stomach. Friend kicked
out for stealing 6-pack from bar. Wrapping guitar strap around pencil-thin
waist, shirt saying "WHAT THIS BOY NEEDS IS A GOOD KILLING".
Audience: "BIG BLACK!"
BB: "EAT SHIT!"
Song about sleeping sickness epidemic of 1926. Pedal-activated drum
machine. Doing everything possible
to wrench searing noise from instruments, then, as apparently in DC,
"Thanks for coming, we are Faith No More." Jane's Addiction pounding
metalates from LA with dreads, pretty good.
allyn